Software Applications Engineer Jobs in California
Software Applications Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in enterprise software, defense systems, semiconductor and hardware, biotech platforms, and cloud infrastructure, with openings at every level from new graduate through principal and staff engineer. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers such as Apple, Qualcomm, and Northrop Grumman have deep and sustained engineering operations. Application development, embedded systems, and full-stack platform work are the most consistently sought-after specialties across California listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Lattice Overview
There is energy here…energy you can feel crackling at any of our international locations. It’s an energy generated by enthusiasm for our work, for our teams, for our results, and for our customers. Lattice is a worldwide community of engineers, designers, and manufacturing operations specialists in partnership with world-class sales, marketing, and support teams, who are developing programmable logic solutions that are changing the industry. Our focus is on R&D, product innovation, and customer service, and to that focus, we bring total commitment and a keenly sharp competitive personality. Energy feeds on energy. If you flourish in a fast paced, results-oriented environment, if you want to achieve individual success within a “team first” organization, and if you believe you can contribute and succeed in a demanding yet collegial atmosphere, then Lattice may well be just what you’re looking for.
Job Description
Additional Information:
This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in: Lattice recognizes that employees are its greatest asset and the driving force behind success in a highly competitive, global industry. Lattice continually strives to provide a comprehensive compensation and benefits program to attract, retain, motivate, reward and celebrate the highest caliber employees in the industry. Lattice is an international, service-driven developer of innovative low cost, low power programmable design solutions. Our global workforce, some 1,000 strong, shares a total commitment to customer success and an unbending will to win.
At Lattice, we value the diversity of individuals, ideas, perspectives, insights and values, and what they bring to the workplace. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates.
Lattice Overview
There is energy here…energy you can feel crackling at any of our international locations. It’s an energy generated by enthusiasm for our work, for our teams, for our results, and for our customers. Lattice is a worldwide community of engineers, designers, and manufacturing operations specialists in partnership with world-class sales, marketing, and support teams, who are developing programmable logic solutions that are changing the industry. Our focus is on R&D, product innovation, and customer service, and to that focus, we bring total commitment and a keenly sharp competitive personality. Energy feeds on energy. If you flourish in a fast paced, results-oriented environment, if you want to achieve individual success within a “team first” organization, and if you believe you can contribute and succeed in a demanding yet collegial atmosphere, then Lattice may well be just what you’re looking for.
Job Description
Additional Information:
This position requires a successful background and reference checks and satisfactory proof of your right to work in: Lattice recognizes that employees are its greatest asset and the driving force behind success in a highly competitive, global industry. Lattice continually strives to provide a comprehensive compensation and benefits program to attract, retain, motivate, reward and celebrate the highest caliber employees in the industry. Lattice is an international, service-driven developer of innovative low cost, low power programmable design solutions. Our global workforce, some 1,000 strong, shares a total commitment to customer success and an unbending will to win.
At Lattice, we value the diversity of individuals, ideas, perspectives, insights and values, and what they bring to the workplace. Applications are welcome from all qualified candidates.
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Find JobsSoftware Applications Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Applications Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Monolithic Power Systems18
- Advantest14
- NVIDIA11
- Apple8
- Synopsys8
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware119
- Technology & Software89
- Manufacturing32
- Consulting & Professional Services12
- Insurance7
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software applications engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in one or more languages such as Java, Python, C++, or C#
- Experience designing, developing, and testing software applications end to end
- Familiarity with Agile or Scrum development workflows and version control systems
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including QA, product, and infrastructure
- Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud is strongly preferred
Software Applications Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software applications engineer in California?
Most software applications engineer roles in California require a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related discipline. California does not require a state-issued license to work as a software applications engineer in industry. Employers at defense and aerospace firms may require a security clearance. Building a portfolio of shipped applications, contributing to open-source projects, and earning vendor certifications from AWS, Google, or Microsoft strengthen candidacy significantly in this market.
How much do software applications engineers make in California?
Software applications engineers in California earn a median of about $174,410 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $105,060 for the lowest 10% to over $272,670 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software applications engineers in California?
Employers hiring software applications engineers in California right now include Monolithic Power Systems, Advantest, and NVIDIA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, semiconductor companies, and enterprise software firms means hiring is distributed across both major coastal metros and inland technology corridors such as San Jose and Irvine.
Which California cities have the most software applications engineer jobs?
San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco lead California for software applications engineer openings. The Bay Area dominates due to the density of enterprise software headquarters and semiconductor design centers, while Los Angeles draws demand from aerospace, defense, and media technology companies, and San Diego's openings reflect its strong base of defense contractors and wireless communications firms such as Qualcomm.
Are there remote software applications engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 15% of software applications engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how well the core work, writing code, conducting code reviews, and collaborating asynchronously, translates to distributed environments. Roles involving hardware integration, embedded systems, or classified government contracts are more likely to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a software applications engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly for associate or junior software engineer roles at large California employers that run structured new-grad programs, including Apple, Qualcomm, and Oracle, which hire bachelor's graduates with strong internship or capstone project experience. California community college districts and UC campuses feed well-regarded transfer and co-op pipelines into these programs. A portfolio of two or three deployed applications, or demonstrated contributions to open-source projects on GitHub, consistently advances candidates who lack professional experience. Adjacent roles such as QA engineer and technical support analyst are common lateral entry points that lead to application development positions within one to two years.
Where can I find and apply to software applications engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to software applications engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated in real time. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level, preferred location, and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 271+ Software Applications Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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